What a fantastic race it was with 22 tugs churning up the Hudson River! Here’s a quick peek from the mainstream news outlets on the events of the day.

From DNAinfo: Now in its 20th year, the tugboat race, which starts at West 79th Street and ends at Pier 84 (near West 43rd Street) brings out the hearty watercraft to show their stuff in a Hudson River race, nose-to-nose pushing contest, and parade.

Kenny McCoy, a volunteer for the USS Lilac Steamship, a preserved ship at Pier 2, said he and his wife Lynn came as fans. “We came down from the Bronx to cheer on the Bronx’s tugboat. This is a great and unique event,” he said.

Another spectator, Mike Fitz, said he and a friend drove from Westfield, N.J. to watch the races.

“We saw an ad for it,” he explained. “I’m shocked at how big the tugboats are up close — they always look so small on the water.” Read more here.

More from NY1: New Yorkers watched Sunday as more than a dozen tugboats of different sizes battled for harbor honors in the 20th Annual Great North River Tugboat Race on the Hudson River.

Organizers said it is a great way to teach the public about what they do.

“Gives the crews the day to show their pride for their boats. They fix them up and paint them up nice and show their skills with the boat handling and the line throwing,” said Captain Mike Keenan. Read more here.

I literally have thousands of photos to sift through and will try to get them up as soon as I can. Until then, many thanks to tugster, whom I am in constant awe of how quickly he get’s his photos online. You’re lighting fast, Will!

Many thanks also to Capt. Mike Abbot and crewman Mike, for their fantastic maneuvering of the New York Harbor School’s Blue Classroom between the tugs and wake and getting us right in the middle of the action!

Hi Bonnie, That;s the number according to Capt. John, but I am trying to get the “official list”. I think there were 21 or 22 tugs present, but only 20 in the race. I am pouring through my photos also, but I suspect your post is the most complete. *egg on my face*

Kudos on your info about Little Toot. I’ve had may inquiries about her! Will keep you posted on the official list of tugs when I get them!

PHEW. Thank you. I think one of the characteristics I have developed as a person who works on financial reporting is that when I think I’ve gotten a number wrong, I get a little obsessed with figuring out how. And I’m being accused of being blonde on Facebook! Eek!

21 tugs present, 20 in the race, with the Decker being the dropout, was what I was thinking it was. Great turnout!

I also stumbled across your post about The Bronx, which was a tug I’ve been very curious about – I was talking to the skipper on Saturday & as I was doing my post parade post, I was kicking myself for not asking a few more questions – love your before-and-after shots, that’s a lucky tug. I’ll link to that in my post parade post & then the Vulcan III will be the last one with no info!

Hi Bonnie,
I think I have solved the mystery. There were 22 tugs registered for the event, but unfortunately Metropolitan Marine’s Pegasus didn’t make it to the race. So you were absolutely correct! 21 tugs present, 20 in the race itself.

Thanks for finding out about Little Toot, so great that she came for the festivities, much to our delight!